Obituary of Ann Marie Remillard

Ann Marie Remillard passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She shared 77 years of unconditional love, hard work, and dedication with her family, friends, and students.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to the late William Henry and Catherine Ann (Kelly) Armstrong, she was the youngest of five children. A natural born caregiver, Ann Marie had a very successful career as a Registered Nurse. She completed her nursing training at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn before working at renowned hospitals such as Mount Sinai, Dover General, St. Clare’s, and Greystone. She was passionate and had a natural talent for teaching, which led her to teach at both the high school and college level for over thirty years. Ann Marie taught the Licensed Practical Nursing program, Health & Human Services, and Allied Health at the Morris County School of Technology.  Additionally, she was an Adjunct Professor of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. 

In April of 1966, she married the first love of her life, Dr. Rahim Vakili, and together they had two beautiful girls, Adrianne and Michele. Unfortunately, their time together was shortened by a tragic accident; Dr. Vakili passed away in January 1972. Ann Marie remained in close contact with his family. It was while she was a single mother of two that she met women who became lifelong dear friends – Aggie Gately and Mary Duffy. They shared a lot of wonderful memories together during holidays, took trips to NYC sharing her love of Broadway shows and the rich culture of the Museums as well as to experience where Ann Marie grew up.

In 1981, Ann Marie met the second love of her life, G. Stephen Remillard. They were married in October 1982 and welcomed a son, Christopher. All of her children were raised in Denville, NJ.

As a devout Catholic and fixture in the Denville community, she was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. She previously had a column in The Citizen of Denville, participated in Denville Friends of the Library Committee, Municipal Alliance Committee, Denville Senior Citizens, and St. Mary’s Grandparents Club.  Ann Marie previously was a member of the Lakeview and Valleyview PTAs, the Denville Recreation Committee, and the Denville/Rockaway Junior Women’s Club in addition to serving as a leader in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts for her children.

Above anything else, Ann Marie had a deep devotion to her family. She had a yearning for excitement, adventure, and an unrivaled zest for life. She was very active and always looked to experience new activities. A world traveler, she went to many places including Persia, Hong Kong, Macau, the Caribbean, Great Britain, Hawaii and throughout the United States. She too loved spending time at the seashore and created many fond memories with family at her beach house on Cape Cod.

Ann Marie was a beautiful, one-of-kind soul and will be truly missed and forever treasured for generations to come. Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, siblings, Jimmy, Jackie, Catherine, Eileen, her first husband, Dr. Rahim Vakili, her friends, Aggie Gately and Mary Duffy, and all the animals she has loved and cared for her entire life.

She leaves only joyful memories to her beloved husband of 38 years, G. Stephen Remillard; her adored children, Adrianne (Michael) Powlen, Michele Vakili, Christopher (Kerry) Remillard; her cherished grandchildren, Megan, Morgan, and Jake Powlen, and Jack, Katie, and William Remillard; her precious cat, Abby; and many loving nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and friends.

All services will be private. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations are being accepted by way of www.inmemof.org to the Denville Friends of the Library, Denville PAL, Denville S.P.A.R.K, and The Seeing Eye, Inc. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Ann Marie here to continue to celebrate the amazing life she shared with us.